Ikémen Sengoku: Transcriptioned Romances Across Time (Masamune)

Masamune Date POV Love's Union Premium Bonus: Drops of Happiness

With everyone asleep, it was quiet in Aoba Castle. I was still up, working.

Mai: "You shouldn't write in the dark. It's bad for your eye."

Masamune: "I know, I know. I'll be done in a second. You just wait for me like a good kitten."

Mai: "Meow!" Mai hugged her knees to her chest, rocking back and forth. I almost dropped everything then and there. She's doing this on purpose, isn't she? How is she even that cute?  

Some time had passed since I'd brought Mai home to my castle. It gave me a strange peace of mind to see how quickly she'd adapted to life here. I better get this done so I don't keep my kitten waiting.  I rushed through writing the document, but it was legible enough so I signed it.

As I rose from my desk, I heard an apologetic voice call from outside my room.

Vassal: "Pardon me for the intrusion this late at night, my lord. There is a letter from Lady Yoshihime."

Masamune: "She sent out a messenger this late at night? Send him in." I received the letter and told both men to get some rest. Then Mai and I were alone again.

Mai: "Who's Lady Yoshihime?" Mai looked up at me with curious eyes.

Masamune: "My mother."

Mai: "Your mother? I've noticed she doesn't live in the castle with us—" Right. I never told Mai about my mother.   

Masamune: "She poisoned me when I was young. There's messy politics with her side of the family, so it seemed best we live apart."

Mai: "I'm sorry. Did you just say your mother poisoned you?!" Mai's faced paled with horror before becoming flushed with anger. I began to regret explaining. I wasn't thinking. Mai's often shocked by the way things are here. Perhaps, in the future, mothers don't try to murder their own sons . . .   

Masamune: "What she did wasn't that strange. When the succession of a large territory is involved, these things can happen." I glanced over the message to see what business she had with me. Nothing I needed to deal with tonight.

Mai: "That doesn't make it right!" Mai frowned, sadness in her voice. "Why did she try to kill you?"

Masamune: "I don't know. Losing my eye really messed me up. I became depressed and shut everyone out. She must've thought I wasn't fit to take over the Date house and decided to take matters into her own hands."

Mai: "Because you got sick?! That's horrible!"

Masamune: "Sickness, superstition, weakness — those cause doubts about succession, and that leads to infighting."

Mai: "You were suffering so much and she tried to kill you. I can't imagine how hard that was." Hey, don't look so sad. It's over now.  Mai looked at me with sorrow and sympathy. I tried to give her a reassuring smile. 

Masamune: "I barely remember it. Must not have been that bad, or I wouldn't have forgot, right? If I let it trouble me, I wouldn't be a fit lord, and that would only prove my mother right." 

My teacher, Master Kosai, had long ago impressed upon me the traits of a good leader: "When you are sad, you must smile. When it hurts, say you are well. If it burns, tell yourself it is cool. No matter the circumstances, a leader can never act impulsively, can never let their emotions sway them."

I've lived my life by that guidance and never found it difficult.  I put the letter from my mother away and sat next to Mai on the futon. But she seemed preoccupied. "Thanks, kitten. You waited for me, just like I asked." I patted her head, seeking to change her mood.